Valve actuating mechanism



g- 12, 1952 c. BOLLING 2,606,450

VALVE ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 8, 1949 2 SHEETS SHEET 1 Aug. 12,1952 c. BOLLING 2,606,450

VALVE ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed D80. 8, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 PatentedAug. 12, 1952 VALVE ACTUATING MECHANISM Carl Bolling, Chicago, Ill.,assignor to Crane 00.,

Chicago, 111., a corporation Application December 8, 1949, Serial No.131,797

6 Claims.

This invention relates to an actuating mechanism for a faucet or likevalve. More particularly, it is concerned with an improvement in theoperating mechanism for a quick-opening self closing valve, wherebyobjectional noises arising from necessary play or looseness in themechanism are substantially avoided.

In order to obtain a better appreciation of the value of this inventivecontribution, it should be understood at the outsetthat heretofore inconnection with quick-opening and self-closing devices of this type,much difficulty has been experienced in maintaining quiet in handle oractuating construction. It has been discovered that "the objectionablerattling was traceable largely to the usual clearances provided and thenormal dimensional variations in parts due to the machining tolerancesprovided between cam surfaces, for example, and other machined surfacesof the assembly, causing various degrees of handle looseness and noisesfrom vibration.

It should also be understood that heretofore in cam operated devices ofthis type as conventionally employed, the fixed location of the top cammember by means of a collar and a collar spacer in the centerpiece orsimilar actuating support member did not usually permit the cam surfacesto contact, except when the trimming was operated. The latter variationin the collar and collar spacer also caused axial and diametrical playof various degrees. It could well be understood that in movableinstallations where pipe lines and valves may be vibrated for manyreasons, as, for example, on railroad cars or on board ship, and thelike, the noises arising from such vibration would not only be annoyingto passengers, but might even lead eventually to mechanical failures incertain of the operating parts that may be thus affected.

Therefore, it is one of the more important ob jects of this invention toprovide a construction in which prior noisy collar structures andbearings are eliminated, and a spring tension is preferably providedwhich maintains the cams and stem mechanism in constant contact, therebyto eliminate noises normally arising therefrom.

Another object is to provide for such simple spring tension applicationwhich eliminates looseness heretofore causing objectionable noises.Thus, in eliminating play and looseness in the actuating mechanism andin the trimming assembly, the operating handle and accessory parts willnot rattle, and therefore, objectionable noises coming from such sourcesare successfully eliminated.

Other objects and advantages of the structure will become more readilyapparent upon proceeding with the following specification read in lightof the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a magnified sectional assembly View of a faucet embodying theinvention.

Fig. 2 is a spaced-apart front sectional assembly view of the upper andlower cam members of the actuating mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a spaced-apart side fragmentary sectional assembly view of theupper and lower cam members of the actuating mechanism viewed at fromthat shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an exterior plan elevation of the upper cam member shown inFig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a plan exterior view of the lower cam member shown in Fig. 3.

Fig, 6 is a bottom exterior view of the upper cam member shown in Fig.3.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the severalfigures.

Referring now to Fig. 1, a conventional faucet body I is shown with theusualdischarge spout 2, having the usual base portion 3 for attachmentto a lavatory, sink, or the like, by means of the assembled conventionalthreaded shank 4, the spring washer 5, and the locknut 6, the lattermember being threadedly mounted on the shank extension 4, as indicated.The threaded shank 4, in the usual manner, is provided with a connectionor coupling nut 1, attached to the usual inlet tailpiece 8 connected toa source of liquid supply (not shown). Thus, pressure is applied to theunderside of the valve closure and helps to make the latter tight.

The internal valve mechanism about to be described is not claimed as newand is substantially in accordance with the disclosure of U, S. patentapplication Serial No. 535,728, filed May 15, 1944, now Patent No.2,520,092. It is of the type termed quick-opening and self-closing bythose skilled in the art.

Thus, the body I is provided with the internal valve chamber 9 with thelatter chamber defined by a shoulder H upon which the ported sleeve 12is held in abutting relation and between which member and the shoulderthe seating member I3 is clamped, as indicated, to form a liquid-tightseat for the head or closure member portion I4 of the sliding stem 15.The centerpiece I6 is held in sealedtightness by the gasket [0 andlocknut, as indicated. The sleeve I2 is held in axially fixed relationto the body by means of the threaded centerpiece IS, the stem beingsnugly guided for longitudinal movement, within the centerpiece l6 andalso within the sleeve l2, as indicated. A sealing O-ring I! ispreferably mounted in the formed chamber 18 between the end of thesleeve and the recessed portion of the centerpiece to serve as a seal atthe upper end portion, as indicated. The stem [5 is threaded to receivethe non-rotatably mounted lower cam member [9, threaded as at 2|, forrigidly supportin the lower cam member. On its upper surface, the cammember 19 is provided with the cam surface 22 for engagement with therotatable upper cam member 23, the latter member having the similarlyformed complementary cam surface 24 for abutting relation with thesurface '22 of the lower cam member l9. As indicated in Fig, 4, theupper cam member. 23 is relieved, as at 20, to permit accumulations offoreign mat- 3 ter to discharge between the cam surfaces thereinto.

To maintain the desired rattle-proof engagement of the surfaces 22 and24 of the lower and upper cam members 18 and 23 respectively, a coilspring 25 is employed, preferably positioned so,

as to apply an axial load upon the upper cam member 23, as disclosed.the application spring is the essence of this invention, in thatheretofore the cam members without being maintained in such positive andsnug fitting relationship frequently rattled due to such causes as, forexample, vibration and led to disturbing noises. So far as I know, noone previously has realized that such objectionable noises arising fromthe stem and cam assembly could be entirely eliminated by theinterposition of the spring 25 between the shoulder provided by theundersurface of the enclosing nut 28 and the shoulder '21 of the uppercam member 23. Obviously, the use of .a coil spring may be varied by theemployment of other forms of resilient members similarly installed toaccomplish a like beneficial result.

The lower or main spring 28 is employed solely for the purpose ofmaintainin the valve stem M on its seat 13 when the former is shoulderedagainst the lower portion of the cam member IS.

The spring 25 is maintained in compressed relation to the upper camshoulder 27 by means of the threaded enclosing nut 28 and is arranged sothat it is either adjustable or shouldered, as indicated. At its" upperportion, the upper cam member 23 is internally threaded, as at 29', tore ceive the actuating handle connecting screw 36 for attachment of theshrouded actuating handle 32. It will be noted that the upper portion ofthe cam member 2 3 is provided with a polygonally shaped (as moreclearly shown in Fig. 4) extension '33 engaging a nut 341 (Fig. 1), thelatter member seating snugly within a similarly shaped recess 35 withinthe undersurface of the handle 32, thereby to provide non-rotatablerelationship between the latter two members.

Thus, it will be clear that a relatively simple and effective means hasbeen provided for eliminating vibrational noises in this type of valve,forming a construction which in no way impedes the operation of thevalve while rendering it impervious to objectionable rattling caused byvibration and the like.

While only a singl embodiment has been shown, it should, of course, beclear that other modifications may be employed without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a quick-opening self-closing faucet actuating means, cam operatingmeans therefor, a sliding stem actuted by the said cam means, the upperportion of the actuating means having an enclosure for the cam operatinmeans, the said cam operating means, the said cam operating meanscomprising upper and lower superposed members cooperating with the saidstem, the cam operating means including a resilient member bearingbetween an upper interior surface portion of the enclosure and the uppercam for maintaining the said upper cam snugly and in non-vibratingrelation to the said lower cam.

3, In a quick-opening self-closing faucet actuating mechanism, camoperating means therefor, a sliding stem actuated by the said cam means,an enclosure for the cam operating means, the said cam means comprisingupper and lower superposed members, at least one of said members beingmounted upon the said stem, the cam operating means including aresilient member for maintaining the cam means in snugly mountedrelation to minimiz vibrational noises therefrom, at least one of thecam operating means having annularly relieved means. to receive saidresilient member.

4. In actuating means for quick-opening faucet, cam operating meanstherefor, a sliding stem actuated by the said cam means, the said cammeans comprising upper and lower superposed members, at least one of thecam means being mounted upon the said stem and having an annular spacebelow and adjacent the cam to receive foreign matter therefrom, aresilent member bearing against the upper member for maintaining thesaid upper cam in relatively snugly fitted relation to the said. lowercam and stem to eliminate the occasion for vibrational noises therefrom.

5. In a quick-openin self-closing faucet actuating mechanism, camoperating means thcrefor, a sliding stem actuated by the said cam means,a threaded enclosure for the cam operating means, the said cam meanscomprising upper and lower axially aligned members with abutting camsurfaces, at least one of said members being mounted directly upon thesaid stem, the cam operating means including a resilient member formaintaining the cam means in snugly'mounted relation to minimizevibrational noises therefrom, the upper cam operating means havingannularly relieved means surroundin the cam surfaces.

6. In a quick-opening self-closing faucet actuating mechanism, camoperating means therefor, a sliding stem actuated by the said cam means,an enclosure for the cam operating means, the said cam means comprisingupper and lower superposed members, at least one of said members beingmounted upon the said stem, the cam operating means including aresilient member for maintaining the said cam means in snugly mountedrelation to minimize vibrational noises therefrom, at least one of thecam operating means having annularly relieved means comprisingoppositely disposed arcuately extending apertures adjacent the camsurfaces.

CARL BOLLING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,669,651 Block May 15, 19281,672,235 Taylor June 5, 1928 1,836,268 McFarland et a1. Dec. 15, 19312,376,022 Wolcott May 15, 1945

